Everton’s Marouane Fellaini has been identified by new boss David Moyes as a possible target, but United are yet to trigger a £23.5m release clause in the Belgian’s contract that is set to expire.

And Real Madrid are ­continuing to insist that they are not listening to offers for Luca Modric.

News that Schweinsteiger could struggle to nail down a place in Guardiola’s team at Munich will alert United as well as every other top club in Europe.

Despite his age, he will command a fee in excess of £25m – and clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea are also sure to be interested.

Guardiola may have inherited a team that won the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup last season but he has made it clear during pre-season that he does not want to play a tactical formation that includes two defensive midfielders.

(Image: Reuters)

Guardiola, who has already beaten United to the signature of Barca starlet Thiago Alacantara, is ­believed to be looking to Javi Martinez to anchor his ­midfield.

Bayern have also spent £34million on buying Mario Gotze from ­Borussia Dortmund.

That leaves Schweinsteiger – last week named German Footballer of the Year – facing a fight for his place.

Getting rid of a player who came through the youth ranks and is regarded as a Bayern legend would be a huge gamble by Guardiola but it’s a gamble he may well take.

Moyes is yet to make his first signing since succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson last month.